Despite only having 18 months to prepare ahead of hosting the 26th edition of the World University Games - Trentino was chosen to replace original host Maribor in Slovenia after it was stripped of the event following delays and the withdrawal of Government funding, the Italian province received much praise from International University Sports Federation (FISU) President Claude-Louis Gallien.

Trentino 2013 President Sergio Anesi, FISU President Claude-Louis Gallien and FISU executive committee member Kairis Ulp address the head of
delegates meeting ©C Pierre/FISU


"Rather than the normal six-year preparation, Trentino had only 18 months to get ready after volunteering to host the event replacing original host Maribor," read a FISU statement.

"Regardless, the Games will go down in history as the largest Winter Universiade with over 2,800 students from 52 countries taking part."

Trentino 2013, the sixth time Italy has hosted the event, officially begins on Wednesday (December 11) with the Opening Ceremony in Trento, however the men's ice hockey competition will launch the day before when home team Italy face Latvia for the opening match in Alba di Canazei.

The Universiade will see athletes from more than 50 nations competing across 12 different sports until December 21.

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